HONOLULU -- A Virginia man on a mission across the country is in Hawaii to promote a new national symbol to honor those who died in military service.

After George Lutz's son, Tony, was killed by a sniper while serving in Iraq in 2005, the grieving father was grasping for a tangible way to remember his son.

"I couldn't find any public symbols. I found a lot of military symbols, a lot of monuments and things, but nothing that publicly said 'We remember'", said Lutz.

That's how the Honor and Remember flag was created. Hawaii is his 37th stop on a cross-country journey to share the vision of this flag with all Americans.

"It's just human nature to want to move on and forget, but for the parents and the wives and the children of those who have lost someone, it's something that stays with them the rest of their lives. They never forget," said Lutz.

Similar to the POW flag that's recognized nationally as the symbol for those who have not returned from war, Lutz is behind the campaign to make the Honor and Remember flag a national symbol for the fallen soldiers.

In a moving ceremony Friday afternoon at the foot of the eternal flame, top military brass, along with state and city officials, threw their support behind the flag.

"You've taken a real tragedy and turned it into something good for the whole country," said Gov. Linda Lingle.

The families of Hawaii's fallen soldiers received Honor and Remember flags. The families of Sgt. Eugene Williams, Sgt. Deyson Cariaga and First Lt. Nainoa Hoe each received personalized flags containing the name, date of death and place of death of the servicemember.

Brandi Williams' husband, Army Sgt. Eugene Williams, was killed seven years ago in Iraq.

"That was my worst fear, that people will forget about his sacrifice. People will forget about everybody fighting over there. So, I think the flag not only helps the families, but I think it will help the nation in remembering all those who served and gave their life," said Williams.

So while the families won't ever get their loved one back, what they will get is the compassion of rememberance from a grateful nation.

Lutz plans to wrap up his 50-state tour on Nov. 11th at Arlington National Cemetery.

"My mission will not be over until every single family who has ever lost anyone in the history of this country is remembered," said Lutz.

For more info about the Honor and Remember flag go to link